Mobile Proxies: Do You Need One?

What is a mobile proxy?

Mobile proxy is a type of proxy that uses real device (phone, modem or router) with a SIM card to route your traffic. Assigned IP address belongs to a mobile operator and is shared between thousands of real users, which makes it very hard for websites to block. Can be either from proxy pool or as a dedicated device.

What are mobile proxies used for?

Mobile proxies are used when working with most strict targets, where even residential proxies are banned left and right. Website can't block mobile IP without blocking thousands of potential real users. Another use is when request needs to look like it's made from a phone. Common uses:

• Social media - Instagram and others are mostly used from mobile devices, so such IPs rarely trigger checks.
• Ad accounts - checking how ads look on a mobile carrier connection.
• Tickets - sites with aggressive anti-bot systems that sometimes block even residential IPs.
• Mobile app testing - to see what a user on a specific carrier sees.

Mobile vs residential proxies

Residential proxies are hosted on devices behind Wi-Fi router and have regular internet provider ASN, while mobile proxies use carrier network and don't have static location. Residential IP belongs to 1 household, while mobile IP can be shared by many different users. Mobile pool is smaller and prices are higher for the same payment model. Pick mobile proxies if target blocks residential IPs or you need requests to look like they're made from a mobile device. Pick residential proxies if you need a lot of IPs, precise locations and a lower price.

How do I choose a mobile proxy provider?

Mobile proxies usually have fewer targeting options than residential ones. Here's what to look for:

• Pool or dedicated device - pool gives you many IPs, while a dedicated device gives you one IP that you control.
• Targeting - country availability and whether provider has city/carrier options to select.
• Rotation - automatic rotation and manual IP change by a button or a link.
• Pricing model - per GB, per day/week/month, and whether bandwidth is really unlimited.
• Features availability - protocols, UDP, IPv6 support etc.
• Free Trial - a good way to test proxy if available. You can find such proxies at the providers with a free trial.

You can filter all of these on the mobile proxies list. For example, take a look at our top-rated providers: Proxy-Seller, SOAX, Oxylabs.

How much do mobile proxies cost?

Mobile proxies are the most expensive proxy type. Based on our data, the median price for pay-per-GB plans is about $4.00/GB on the smallest plan and $3.15/GB around 100 GB, with prices from under $1/GB to over $10/GB. The common payment models:

• Pay per GB - the most common model with a rotating pool of IPs.
• Per time - mostly dedicated devices or ports. The median is around $8.70 for a day and $35 for a week.
• Unlimited bandwidth - dedicated devices usually have unlimited traffic. See unlimited bandwidth proxies.

4G vs 5G vs LTE mobile proxies

The difference is in connection speed and availability - LTE and 4G are basically the same thing and are available in more places. 5G is considered premium, with faster speed and higher prices, but limited locations. Prices on the website are listed for minimal available plan, so double-check the price if provider has both 4G and 5G.

How do mobile proxies work?

Your proxy provider routes requests through mobile device, and targeted website sees known mobile user IP. Due to the nature of mobile connections, your IP can change automatically, and if it's a dedicated device, you can force IP change, which is usually done by reconnecting device to the network and takes less than a minute.

Are mobile proxies rotating?

Yes. If it's from proxy pool, IPs rotate automatically. If it's a dedicated device, they rotate less frequently but can be rotated manually. Expect IP to change the next day after you buy it - that's just the nature of mobile connections. Check the rotating proxies page if you need sticky sessions or a specific rotation interval.

Are mobile proxies dedicated or shared?

Proxy pools share proxies between customers, while a dedicated device can be shared or private. If speed is your main concern when working with mobile proxies, pick plan that has a dedicated (private) option. Speed is already not strongest perk of mobile proxies, and sharing makes it even worse. Check the private proxies list if you need a dedicated one.

Can I create my own mobile proxy?

Yes, there is software that can turn your phone or modem into a proxy with the ability to rotate IP. This can be useful if you need to log in to multiple accounts and your country/carrier works fine with them.

Is there a free mobile proxy?

Not really, public free proxies are either slow or, more likely, dead. A good alternative is providers with a free trial, some of them allow you to test their mobile IPs before you pay.

Can mobile proxies be detected?

Not really. You get caught mostly by your browser, usage pattern, or mismatch between mobile IP and desktop device. Proxy IP can even be in blacklist, which doesn't mean much since thousands of users share it.

Are mobile proxies legal?

Yes, buying and using them is legal. You still have to follow the laws and the provider's Terms of Service. Some providers also restrict certain targets, so check before buying. Renting own mobile proxies is subject to your local laws, so keep that in mind if you want to build own mobile farm!

How do I use a mobile proxy?

After you buy a plan, the provider gives you a host, port and either a username and password or an IP whitelist. Put these into your software and you're good to go. Dedicated plans usually also come with a link to rotate the IP manually. Link is useful for scripts, while button on the provider's website is handy when you work manually.